Writing, MFA

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The program is designed to instruct writers in creative techniques, to nurture their individual development and vision, and to help prepare them for entry into the public life of literature.

Program Learning Outcomes

Articulate how linguistic, formal, and aesthetic choices create literary effects on the page
Demonstrate an understanding of the range of literary aesthetics, trends, and sensibilities-nationally and globally, past and present-as well as the political ramifications of craft choices
Practice critical analysis of their own writing as a process, implementing drafting and revision plans for their creative projects
Cultivate professional practices that engage in the greater literary community and form a sustained writing life

Major Requirements (32 units)

All courses are 4 units.

Workshops (12 units)

Workshop courses can be taken more than once.

Seminars (16 units)

Seminar topics change each semester, with courses offered in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and multi-genre approaches. Seminars can be taken more than once.

Thesis (4-8 units)

Thesis I is an elective course strongly recommended for students whose thesis will be a book-length project. Thesis II is required for all students.

MFA 689 - Thesis I
MFA 699 - Thesis II
NOTE:

In Thesis I and Thesis II, students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor who provides extensive feedback on their work in a series of scheduled meetings.

The thesis may be a:
- novel
- memoir
- poetry collection
- story collection
- essay collection
- purposeful combination of these genres